Fisherman Mike Posted January 2, 2006 Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 Get out there and scour the hedgerows with a small folding saw and a pair of secateurs. This is the time of year to pick out the best Blackthorn & Hazel Shanks. Cut a piece of Blackthorn with the saw de-thorn it with the secateurs (not to close too the main shank) and store it somewhere dry for at least a year. Dont worry if its bent or twisted as long as there are no big Knots in it it will straighten. To straighten it steam the section to be straightened over a source of boiling water (I have found that these new steam cleaners are quite good a heat gun will work also but careful not to burn the bark) When the section of shank is hot and pliable it can be eased over the knee to straighten it, once cool it will set in that position. You dont have to be too fussy with Blackthorn a bit of irregularity looks quite nice. Clean it off with fine wire wool and a drop of methylated spirit and then buff it up in a rag before giving it a couple of coats of polyurethane varnish matt or gloss which ever you prefer, or wax and polish with a good quality bees wax polish. Black thorn looks fantastic and darkens with age. Today I cut the best piece of Blackthorn from the hedge Ive ever seen. Came acrossit completely by accident when one of the dogs dummies went to far into the hedge.........11/4 ins at bottom with a super natural branch handle, 50 ins long, 1/2 ins at the top and as straight as a gun barrel.... Give it a go its very theraputic. FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 2, 2006 Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 Very topical Mike, I got given some sticks and book on how to dress them for Christmas. The sticks I got are all pretty new, so I will hang them in the shed for a year or so, but as I have the book I want to get going. Are the blanks they sell at the game fairs normally old enough to get going on straight away? My Dad is into wood turning and has shed load wood seasoning so I will see if he has naything I can use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted January 2, 2006 Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 Came acrossit completely by accident when one of the dogs dummies went to far into the hedge... stop pussy footing about and get that dog in there :thumbs: :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted January 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 Have a look under Stickmaking on ebay Stu. There are several makers who advertise blanks and shanks at resonable cost..... There is also a guy called IVy Cottage walking Sticks... Brian Bannister.. who I have bought stuff from in the past when Ive been short of good blanks. He is a really nice guy. Ive tried to upload his internet address but am having difficulty you could probably get a successful search on Yahoo of Google. Im glad you are going to give it a go it is a really satisfying hobby and as you get more experienced you will amaze yoourself with what you produce. Cheers. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted January 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 Came acrossit completely by accident when one of the dogs dummies went to far into the hedge... stop pussy footing about and get that dog in there No problem with the dog Mag he throws himself into the thickest of Blackthorn which rips my arms to shreds when i try to cut a stick. FM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 (edited) I've got a few blackthorn thickets that I cut down to the ground now and again. With a bit of luck there are a few good sticks in the middle after 2-3 years. I've got a few that were cut about 3 years ago and some fairly good Holly sticks as well. Edited January 3, 2006 by rjimmer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Have a look under Stickmaking on ebay Stu. There are several makers who advertise blanks and shanks at resonable cost..... There is also a guy called IVy Cottage walking Sticks... Brian Bannister.. who I have bought stuff from in the past when Ive been short of good blanks. He is a really nice guy. Ive tried to upload his internet address but am having difficulty you could probably get a successful search on Yahoo of Google. Im glad you are going to give it a go it is a really satisfying hobby and as you get more experienced you will amaze yoourself with what you produce. Cheers. Mike. Mike, I guess this is him? I may get some from him to get started, the missus has requested the first off the production line as she beats a couple of times a month throughout the season now Stickman I will be a the West Country Gamefair in March poking around there too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baikiel boy Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Hi Mike , Ive found that the book you gave me is very helpful . Ive done a trout in ramshorn with a holly shank now . I now need to make another bulking tool to do another pheasant , the horn that i'm going to use is quite a bit larger than what ive used before . It's a very interesting pastime , im also going to try out using acrylic drawing ink for the colours Best regards baikiel boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted January 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Hi Mike , Ive found that the book you gave me is very helpful . Ive done a trout in ramshorn with a holly shank now . I now need to make another bulking tool to do another pheasant , the horn that i'm going to use is quite a bit larger than what ive used before . It's a very interesting pastime , im also going to try out using acrylic drawing ink for the colours Best regards baikiel boy Thats fantastic Baikal... only chuffed that its given you some inspiration. Happy New Year. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 10, 2006 Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 Mike, I have ordered some bits from yer man, I will get out and harvest some blanks, but in the meantime I have ordered 3 from him + some bits and bobs to get going. I will put some pictures up in the photo section once I get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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